Practice test 1 for the Florida State College Basic Skills
Writing Exit Test
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) _______________________________________________. (2) Transplanted from
rural Mississippi, he felt out of place at Dickson High School in Brethren, Michigan. (3)
His stutter was so pronounced that he never spoke out in class. (4) ________________,
he often felt alone. (5) Jones found refuge in writing poetry. (6) One day in class, he
wrote a poem and submitted it to his English teacher. (7) The teacher, surprised at how
good it was, wondered whether Jones had copied it and challenged Jones, “The best way
for you to prove that you wrote this poem yourself is for you to recite it by heart to the
class.” (8) Jones then walked to the front of the room, thinking it would be better to be
laughed at for stuttering that to be disgraced. (9) He was scared, but he opened his mouth
and began to speak. (10) To the astonishment of everyone in the class, the words flowed
smoothly. (11) The stutter disappeared. (12) He had stumbled upon what speech
therapists would one day discover: that the written page can be a stutterer’s salvation.
(13) He went on to become a high school public-speaking champion and won a
scholarship to the University of Michigan. (14) Today, fifty years later, the voice of
James Earl Jones is among the most familiar in the world.
- Wallace Terry, “When His Sound Was Silenced”
1.
Which of the following sentences, when inserted in the blank labeled number 1,
would serve as the best thesis statement for the entire passage?
a. The family of James Earl Jones moved from Mississippi to Michigan so that he
could receive help for a speech problem.
b. At age fourteen a gawky and shy James Earl Jones was transformed.
c. Many famous people have disabilities that they have overcome.
d.
2.
Ninth grade English teacher, Miss. Schneider, was very proud of her gifted
student, James Earl Jones.
Which sentence provides support for statement that he was scared in sentence (9).
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
sentence (14)
sentence (12)
sentence (7)
sentence (3)
Which sentence could be considered least relevant to the passage?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
Sentence (2)
Sentence (6)
Sentence (12)
Sentence (13)
Which word or phrase, if inserted in the blank in sentence (4) would make
relationship between sentences (3) and (4) clearer.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Before
Understandably
Meanwhile
Then
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) ____________________________________________________________
_____________ (2) The first thing you should do is to stop in a safe place. (3) Put on
your hazard signal, and if you are on a multi-lane highway, move carefully into the far
right lane. (4) Then slowly pull over to the curb or onto the shoulder and continue until
you have drove to an area as free from traffic as possible. (5) Try to park the car on firm,
level ground, turn the ignition off, and set the parking brake. (6) If you have any
passengers, let them out of the car on the passenger side.
(7) As you change the tire, remember these suggestions. (8) Never get under a car
that is raised on a jack. (9) It is easy for a car to roll off the jack anyone underneath may
be seriously injured. (10) After you have removed the flat, place it carefully on the
ground with the outside surface up so that the wheel’s finish won’t be getting scratched.
(11) _________, mount your spare tire and tighten the wheel nuts. (12) When the spare
fit tightly against the hub, lower the car to the ground and remove the jack. (13) Tighten
the wheel nuts as securely as you can, stow your tools safely, and store the flat.
(14) With your spare tire in place, your next stop should be at an auto repair shop.
(15) Let mechanics there check the spare. (16) They may also be able to repair the flat, so
you can finally, be safely on your way.
5.
Which of the following sentences, when inserted in the blank labeled (1), would
serve as the best topic sentence?
a.
b.
c.
d.
6.
Having a flat tire while driving can be dangerous to not only the driver and
his or her passengers but to others on the road as well.
These safety rules are important to follow if you ever have a flat tire while
driving.
Goodyear tires are the best and they hardly ever go flat, but if they do here
are some helpful hints.
Changing a flat tire is easy, even a child can do it.
What correction should be made to sentence (4)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
change pull to pulling
insert a comma after curb
change drove to driven
inset a comma after area
no correction is necessary
7.
Which word or phrase, if inserted in the blank in sentence (11), would make the
relationship of ideas following sentence clearer.
a.
Next,
b.
As a result,
c.
In addition,
d.
Also,
8.
In sentence (9), which is the best way to write the underlined portion of the text?
If the original is the best way choose option (a).
a.
jack anyone
b.
c.
d.
e.
9.
In sentence (10), which is the best way to write the underlined portion of the text?
If the original is the best way, choose option (a).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
10.
change fit to fits
insert comma after tightly
remove the comma after hub
replace to with two
no correction necessary
What correction should be made to sentence (16)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
12.
be getting
get
got
have gotten
have been getting
What correction should be made to sentence (12)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
11.
jack, anyone
jack which means anyone
jack therefore anyone
jack, and anyone
insert a comma after repair
remove the comma after flat
remove so
remove the comma after finally
change your to you’re
Directions: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context
suggested by the sentence.
The burglar slowly ____________ across the room and carefully lifted the
priceless painting from the wall.
a.
b.
c.
13.
walked
crept
ambulated
Directions: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context
suggested by the sentence.
After Bill realized the winning lottery ticket was a fake, he was so ___________
he turned red and chased his brother down the street.
a.
b.
c.
14.
infuriated
disgusted
elated
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Susan wants to lay down, the effects of the roller coast were too much for her.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
15.
lie
affects
to
No change necessary
Directions: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are used appropriately.
a.
Baldness does not have to be embarrassing, but trying to conceal a bald
spot makes people look ridiculous under a hat or a strange haircut.
Trying to conceal a bald spot makes people look ridiculous, baldness does
not have to be embarrassing, under a hat or strange haircut.
Baldness does not have to be embarrassing, but trying to conceal a bald
spot under a hat or strange haircut makes people look ridiculous.
b.
c.
16.
Directions: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.
a.
b.
c.
17.
Distracted by the bright lights, my car drove off the road.
My car, distracted by the bright lights, I drove off the road
Distracted by the bright lights, I drove my car off the road.
Directions: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context
suggested by the sentence.
Tourists travel from all over the world to visit Disney World in Orlando,
___________ my grandmother, who has lived in Florida all her life, has never
been there.
a.
b.
c.
d.
18.
yet
furthermore
meanwhile
in fact
Directions: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context
suggested by the sentence.
When I was a child things were different, _____________, my parents would take
us to the drive-in movie in our pajamas in case we fell asleep before the end of the
show.
a.
b.
c.
19.
on the other hand
for instance
because
Directions: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.
a.
According to historians, the ancient Egyptians built the first bed, it
consisted of a simple wooden frame with four carved legs.
Plaited cord was attached to the four sides of the frame forming a springy
surface on which to sleep.
The ancient Greeks slept on a couch, this was used for relaxing during the
day and sleeping during the night.
b.
c.
20.
Choose the correct word or phrase within the context suggested by the
sentence(s).
Recently, Ms. Barlow ___________________ details about her work assignments.
a.
b.
c.
d.
21.
has forgetting
has forgotten
has been forgetting
will be forgetting
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
The meeting seemed to last for hours, nothing was accomplished.
a.
b.
c.
d.
22.
hours: nothing
hours nothing
hours. Nothing
No change is necessary
Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error
exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Many great Americans had little or no formal education. Among these were political
a.
leaders, writers, artists, scientists, and business executives. For example, Abraham
b.
c.
Lincoln worked in a general store during the day and studied on his own at night.
a.
b.
c.
d.
23.
education, among
scientists and business
example Abraham
No change necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Lee De Forest developed the sound-on-film technique consequently he revolutionized the
film industry.
a.
b.
c.
d.
24.
technique, consequently, he
technique; consequently, he
technique, consequently; he
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
A blizzard is a novelty in the South, everyone at school was excited about the six inches
a
of snow that fell yesterday. In the classrooms teachers had difficulty keeping their
b
c
students attention.
a.
b.
c.
d.
25.
South. Everyone
yesterday, in
classrooms, teachers
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Jim has been working in the video store for two months.
a.
b.
c.
d.
26.
has worked
is working
have been working
No change necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Jim has completed his probation period, he will have receive a promotion with a salary
a
b
increase. His favorite part of the job is helping customers locate books.
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
27.
have complete
will receive
is helped
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Neither Charlie nor Billy comes to the party next week.
a.
b.
c.
d.
28.
will come
will have come
came
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects a error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Spot can jump over the fence and chase the cars that drives into our neighborhood.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
29.
jumps
chases
drive
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
An elephant is unable to jump, it is too heavy to get its four feet off the ground at the
same time.
a.
b.
c.
d.
30.
jump it
jump. It
jump; it
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
I sit in the first chair of the third row in Mr.Bennet’s class. My sister sat in the same
a
b
chair last year, perhaps my brother will set in it next year.
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
31.
Directions: Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
b.
c.
d.
32.
We sauntered down the street, looking in shop windows
You will enjoy this book it has a lot of action
The legs of the antique table were carved into the shape of an animals
paw.
The sun was shining the country air was fresh and sweet.
Directions: Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
b.
c.
d.
33.
set
sit
sit
No change is necessary
One section of the new road is quite bumpy but most of it is very smooth.
One section of the new road is quite bumpy. But most of it is very smooth.
One section of the new road is quite bumpy; but most of it is very smooth.
One section of the new road is quite bumpy, but most of it is very smooth.
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
Of all the third graders, Jessica and Zack are the _______________ spellers.
a.
b.
c.
d.
34.
good
most good
better
best
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
After leaving the White House, President Taft was nominated to the Supreme Court and
became their chief justice.
a.
b.
c.
d.
its
theirs
our
No change is necessary
35.
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
As for me, I like these flowers better than those.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
36.
myself
them
theirs
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Scott was embarrassed when he accidentally fell on the wet floor. The store tried to
a
accommadate him so he wouldn’t hold them liable.
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
accidentelly
accommodate
laible
No change is necessary
37.
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
Check your calendar and reccommend a date for the reunion extravaganza.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
38.
calender
recommend
extravagansa
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
The curriculum at Green Dale Junior College requires one year of Algebra.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
Green dale
junior college
algebra
No change is necessary
39.
Directions: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If
no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”
The radio commentator asked about the indian’s experiences in the helicopter.
a
b
c
a.
b.
c.
d.
40.
Radio
Commentator
Indian’s
No change is necessary
Directions: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.
a.
b.
c.
d.
What is the use of studying Latin it is a dead language.
It’s okay with me.
Smiling at the new baby, and tickling its toes.
Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize four times for poetry.